Propagandhi - Supporting Caste

Imagine if there were actually castes in music - because of sins performed in previous lives, your musical destiny would be pre-ordained; you'd be locked into playing certain types of music in certain types of bands with no ifs, no buts, and no exceptions. Propagandhi, it seems have resolutely resisted this over a 20-year career that has seen them evolve from ska-punk to metal, but judging by this album, it appears inconceivable that they would do anything else. This a band that spews forth Henry Rollins attitudes over breakneck-paced hardcore that positively exudes indignation and fury, fuelled by a double-bass pedal that starts and doesn't stop for 50-odd minutes. It's basically metal with punk-barking instead of bowel-shredding screaming, reinforced via revered worship of the chunky riff; despite running the risk of heart attacks with all that fury, these middle-aged anarchists bring a fresh twist to some entrenched cliches.